TODAY ON MEZZO-SOPRANO MONDAY - "Mon coeur ouvre a sa voix" from Saint-Saens's Samson et Dalila.

With the help of Photoshop, I created this from the sensual and evocative album cover of a new Samson and Delila with the brilliant mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova and world-famous tenor Placido Domingo in the leading role. I will start Mezzo Soprano Monday with this beautiful video that shows paintings of artists who have been inspired by the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah (spelled Dalila in French). While you look at these gorgeous paintings, you will listen to the silky voice of Elena Obraztsova sing "Mon coeur ouvre a ta voix" in the arms of the powerful Placido Domingo in a San Francisco production of the opera. This HD modern state-of-the-art recording will be followed by an old Angel Records vinyl that I am particularly fond of!

Here are the immortal Jon Vickers and Rita Gorr in "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix"

I used to own this opera on vinyl and to this day, it remains the most beautiful version of Saint-Saen's Samson et Dalila, conducted by Georges Prêtre. Listen to tenor Jon Vickers as a vigorous Samson and mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr as a rich and sensuous Dalila. We are fortunate to be able to follow this particular video which include the lyrics. At the end of the song, Vickers joins Gorr and the song becomes a duet, culminating with a climax in which the young and virile Vickers delivers the most deeply felt "je t'aime" ever uttered in the French language!

So you can see the aria in its entirety, I have posted the lyrics below in French and English. Afterward, follow the link to Maria Callas's version for another treat. I will never cease praising La Divina. We saw her as a dramatic coloratura soprano n a recent posting and now, here she is again, this time with a darker voice, in a dramatic mezzo-soprano role. Morever, her diction in French is impeccable. Magnifique!

Follow the next link to hear ...and see Vickers again, twenty years later, in a live performance with the legendary mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett, who just passed away last week at the age of 79. Shirley's performance as Dalila is incredible! Vickers  is also pretty good. He may show his age, but his "je t'aime" remains as potent as ever! 

Finally, we will see Agnes Baltsa as a Dalila  again,  in the arms of the omniscient Placido Domingo. That may be it for now, but be sure to revisit this blog later for more entries. You never know what other gems may appear on YouTube! Here are the lyrics in French ,with an English translation:

French Lyrics and English Translation for

"Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix"

from Camille Saint-Saens's opera Samson et Dalila

DALILA:

Mon coeur s'ouvre à la voix,  ..........My heart opens to your voice, 

comme s'ouvrent les fleurs  ..........like the flowers open
Aux baiser de l'aurore!   ..........To the kisses of the dawn!
Mais, ô mon bienaimé,   ..........But, o my beloved,
pour mieux sécher mes pleurs,  ..........To dry my tears the best,
Que ta voix parle encore!  ..........Let your voice speak again! 

Dis-moi qu'à Dalila    ..........Tell me that to Dalila
tu reviens pour jamais,   ..........You will return forever,
Redis à ma tendresse   .........Repeat to my tenderness
Les serments d'autrefois,  ..........The oaths of other times,
ces serments que j'aimais!  ..........the oaths that I loved!
Ah! réponds à ma tendresse!  ..........Ah! respond to my tenderness!
Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse!  ..........Pour out to me the drunkeness! 

SAMSON:

Dalila, Dalila, ..........Dalila, Dalila,

Je t'aime...........I love you!,

DALILA:

Ainsi qu'on voit des blés  ..........Like one sees the wheat
les épis onduler   ..........the blades undulate
Sous la brise légère,   ..........Under the light breeze, 

Ainsi frémit mon coeur,   ..........So trembles my hear,
prêt à se consoler,   ..........ready to be consoled,
A ta voix qui m'est chère!  ..........by your voice which is dear to me! 

La flèche est moins rapide  ..........The arrow is less quick
à porter le trépas,   ..........to carry death, 

Que ne l'est ton amante   ..........Than is your love 

à voler dans tes bras!   ..........to fly into my arms! 

Ah! réponds à ma tendresse!  ..........Ah! respond to my tenderness!
Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse!  ..........Pour out to me the drunkenness! 

SAMSON:

Dalila, Dalila, ..........Dalila, Dalila,

Je t'aime...........I love you!

Here are some Wikipedia links to read more about the opera Samson et Delila and the composer Camille Saint-Saens.

HERE are links to other versions of "Mon cœur ouvre a sa voix.To enrichen the Samson and Dalila experience, I will also be redirecting you to other video clips that are related to the story of the opera. For example, a scene from the movie Samson and Delilah with Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr, or a short video study of the famous painting by Rubens. Just click on the symbol "///O///" to find the link.

• Maria Callas, concert solo (audio only) ///O///
• Shirley Verrett and Jon Vickers (televised opera) ///O///
• Agnes Baltsa and Placido Domingo (televised opera) ///O///
• A short video viewing in HD, details from the famous painting of Samson and Delilah by Peter Paul Rubens. Here is the link:  ///O///
• The great African American mezzo-soprano, Marian Anderson, sings Dalila's aria in English ///O///
• Here is a scene from the 1950 Cecil de Mille epic between Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr as Samson and Delilah. You can watch the whole movie on the YouTube! ///O///

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